COVID-19 is causing manufacturing to increase predictive maintenance. It is accelerating the condition monitoring or the act of monitoring the condition of an asset, especially through real-time data points. It forms the foundation of what has become known as Industry 4.0, in its basic form. An integral part of condition monitoring, within the IIoT (Industrial Internet of things) ecosystem, is providing data that can then be used for Predictive Maintenance (PdM) and many more smart factory applications, such as Digital Twin.

Big data analytics, especially with predictive analytics, is a growing trend and often prompts discussions around centralizing data across multiple sites, so that the consistency of data is achieved. However, a significant roadblock remains the inability of many customers to convert the flood of new data into actionable information. Big data systems need to monitor machine failures repeatedly before they can analyze adequately and predict effectively for the future.

For instance, overhead conveyor systems are used in assembly production lines in the automotive and other manufacturing industries. The failure of single support frames can lead to the disruption of entire production lines. A condition monitoring system based on big data analytics detects the problem at an early stage and, thus, prevents unplanned downtime. COVID-19 only illustrates the impact of these technologies.

About TR Cutler, Inc.

Thomas R. Cutler is the President and CEO of Fort Lauderdale, Florida-based, TR Cutler, Inc., the largest manufacturing communication firm worldwide with four dozen industry experts and thought leaders on staff. Cutler is celebrating the 21-year anniversary of the Manufacturing Media Consortium.

During COVID-19 Cutler is advising manufacturers, industrial leaders, supply chain professionals, and C-level executives how to best navigate Q2 2020, to have an amazing pipeline of sales and sales content for Q3 2020 and beyond.

Cutler has authored more than 7,000 articles for a wide range of manufacturing periodicals, industrial publications, and business journals. Cutler is the most published freelance industrial journalist worldwide, and more than 4200 industry leaders follow Cutler on Twitter daily at @ThomasRCutler.